Senior Director, Legal & Compliance EMEA & LATAM - multiple locations

QuidelOrtho unites the strengths of Quidel Corporation and Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, creating a world-leading in vitro diagnostics company with award-winning expertise in immunoassay and molecular testing, clinical chemistry and transfusion medicine. We are more than 6,000 strong and do business in over 130 countries, providing answers with fast, accurate and consistent testing where and when they are needed most – home to hospital, lab to clinic.

Our culture puts our team members first and prioritizes actions that support happiness, inspiration and engagement. We strive to build meaningful connections with each other as we believe that employee happiness and business success are linked. Join us in our mission to transform the power of diagnostics into a healthier future for all.

Your new role:

The Senior Director, Legal & Compliance – EMEA & LATAM will serve as a key legal advisor for business operations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA), and Latin America (LATAM). Along with regional legal and compliance team members, which you will lead, this highly strategic role is responsible for handling key matters and providing strategic and practical advice on regional commercial, regulatory, and compliance matters, and ensuring business activities comply and align with applicable local and international laws, ethical standards, and company values.

You will work closely with global and regional business leadership to build trust and forge effective partnerships across various functions and regions to drive compliant growth, safeguard corporate integrity, and proactively manage legal and regulatory risk in complex, fast-moving markets. This hands-on leadership role offers a rare opportunity to shape strategy, guide high-performing teams, and make a lasting impact across two key global regions critical to the company’s growth.

Role can be based in multiple locations: UK, Italy (Milan), Spain ( Madrid), Brazil (Sao Paolo) or Mexico ( Mexico city).

What You’ll Be Doing:

Leadership & Team Management

Lead, mentor, and develop regional Legal & Compliance team members across the region, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and operational excellence.

Manage a geographically diverse team to deliver high-quality, business-oriented legal services.

Member of the Chief Legal Officer’s Extended Leadership team and frequent collaboration with the global team.

Manage and optimize utilization of internal tools and resources to ensure quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

Strategic Legal Counsel

Provide strategic legal advice to senior executives and regional business leaders on a wide range of matters, including commercial, distribution, regulatory, employment, and corporate matters.

Draft, negotiate, and manage complex agreements, including commercial contracts, development, supply, and distribution agreements, collaborations, and government tenders.

Advise on business development opportunities across the region and globally, ensuring alignment with legal and compliance requirements.

Manage relationships with external counsel and vendors, ensuring cost-effective, quality legal services that align with company standards and strategic objectives.

Support business improvements to enhance long-term company-wide and functional goals.

Compliance & Ethics Oversight

Implement and oversee regional compliance programs, as an indirect report to the VP, Global Compliance, ensuring alignment to local requirements in complex and evolving jurisdictions, including anti-bribery and anti-corruption (ABAC), competition law, healthcare law, and data and privacy protection (GDPR, LGPD), and applicable industry trade association guidelines.

Drive awareness of the company’s Code of Ethics; investigate and address potential non-compliance; and design plans to mitigate risk in accordance with regional laws.

Implement regional programs aligned with global standards and implement effective monitoring and reporting mechanisms tailored to local requirements.

Regulatory & Risk Management

Monitor legal, regulatory, and other developments affecting the company’s regional operations and support cross-functional teams as needed.

Conduct legal risk analyses, ensuring mitigation strategies are embedded in business processes.

Collaboration & Partnership

Partner with Commercial, Finance, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, Trade Compliance, and HR functions to enable compliant business initiatives and support new product launches.

Collaborate with IT and Privacy teams to ensure compliance with cross-border data protection laws.

Training & Development

Design and deliver legal and compliance localized training programs for business teams and business partners across the regions.

Support continuous improvement through compliance assessments, audits, and best practice sharing.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• A law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent) and qualification to practice in at least one EMEA or LATAM jurisdiction are required.
• Minimum 20+ years of post-qualification experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role within a multinational organization.
• Prior experience in medical devices, diagnostics, life sciences, or other highly regulated industries is required.
• Proven track record leading diverse teams and managing complex legal issues across multiple jurisdictions. Deep understanding of UK/EU and LATAM commercial, regulatory, and compliance frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience in shaping and implementing regional compliance programs, including anti-corruption, competition, data privacy, and healthcare regulatory compliance.
• Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills, with the ability to simplify complex legal issues.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management abilities. Requires ability to communicate with executive leadership regarding matters of significant importance.
• Fluency in English required; Spanish, Portuguese, or French strongly preferred.
• Ability to operate effectively in a matrixed global environment and influence cross-functional and executive teams.
• High degree of integrity, judgment, and business acumen.

What We Offer:

• Competitive Salary 
• Yearly Salary Reviews 
• Attractive Pension Scheme 
• Bonus Scheme 
• Life Assurance 
• Private Medical (If applicable) 
• LinkedIn Learning 
• Holidays + 1 QuidelOrtho Day + 8 Bank Holidays (Milestone Increases Available) 
• Employee Assistance Programme 
• Reward & Recognition Programmes 
• Exceptional career developmental prospects 
• Strong culture centered around collaboration & customer focus. 

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION / EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:

QuidelOrtho is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer (Minorities/Women/Disabled/ Veterans). We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.